Feyenoord end 2019 with hard-fought win

FC Utrecht started the fixture in attacking mood, giving the visitors some hairy moments early on. The hosts put Feyenoord under intense pressure at times, creating a number of big chances. 

Feyenoord were finding it hard to string enough passes together to get an attack going, but they were the first to strike gold. Orkun Kökcü was the man to break the deadlock, netting his second goal of the season with a wicked curler into the top corner. 

The lead did not last long, however. Defender Justin Hoogma jumped higher than anyone else at a corner, beating Kenneth Vermeer with a firm header. The sides traded blows after the leveller, but with no more breakthroughs before the break, they went in at halftime all square.

The equilibrium was shattered early in the second half. The goal was a beauty and it was one-time FC Utrecht man Jens Toornstra who scored it. Tyrell Malacia did the spadework, one-twoing with Luis Sinisterra before laying the ball back for Toornstra on the edge of the box. His devastating volley left home keeper Maarten Pae flapping in the wind.

The glorious strike left FC Utrecht with no choice but to push forward, which gave Feyenoord – especially the rapid Luis Sinisterra – plenty of room to exploit in behind the home defence. The Colombian was too fast for defender Justin Hoogma, who had to resort to underhand tactics to douse the threat. Referee Björn Kuipers reached for his pocket and pulled out a red card to leave the hosts a man down. 

FC Utrecht went for the full-metal jacket approach in response. But Feyenoord held on to take the three points and cement their place in the top five.